Function setting apparatus

Abstract

When the eye selection mode is set, upper-level menu items "EFFECT" and "FADER" are displayed. When an operator gazes "EFFECT", functions "TELESCOPE-CONTROL", "FREEZE", "MOSAIC", and the like are displayed as lower-level menu items of the item "EFFECT". When the operator gazes "MOSAIC" next, mosaic processing is executed. On the other hand, when the operator gazes the upper-level menu item "FADER", functions "OVERLAP", "WIPE", "TRIGGERED FADE", and the like are displayed. When the operator gazes "TRIGGERED FADE", corresponding processing is executed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A function setting apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of functions of an electronic device, and setting the selected function to be executed by the electronic device, comprising: upper-level eye-controlled menu display means for displaying a list of a plurality of upper-level function menu items on a predetermined display screen so that an arbitrary one of the function menu items can be designated by a line of sight of an operator; and   lower-level eye-controlled menu display means for, when the line of sight of an operator is detected in correspondence with one of the plurality of upper-level function menu items displayed by said upper-level eye-controlled menu display means, displaying a lower-level eye-controlled menu comprising a list of a plurality of lower-level function menu items associated with the designated one upper-level function menu item on the display screen, whereby an arbitrary one of the function items of the lower-level function menu can be designated by line of sight.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one upper-level function menu item includes a function type name which summarizes a plurality of lower-level function menu items corresponding to the function menu item. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising middle-level eye-controlled menu display means for displaying at least one middle-level function menu item, located between the upper- and lower-level function menu items on the display screen, so that an arbitrary one of the at least one middle-level function menu items can be designated by the line of sight. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lower-level eye-controlled menu display means displays the plurality of upper-level function menu items on one page, and displays a selected first upper-level function menu item to be identifiable from other upper-level function menu items, and displays the lower-level function menu items corresponding to the first upper-level function menu item on the identical page.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said lower-level eye-controlled menu display means comprises: means for detecting that an arbitrary second upper-level function menu item other than the first upper-level function menu displayed on the page is selected by the line of sight; and   means for displaying the second upper-level function menu item to be identifiable from other upper-level function menu item, and displaying lower-level function menu items corresponding to the second upper-level function menu item.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first manual operation switch for setting said setting apparatus in a mode in which said upper and lower-level eye-controlled menu display means are enabled. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display screen is arranged on a main body of the electronic device. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a second manual operation switch having a plurality of operation positions; and   means for displaying one uppermost-level function menu item in correspondence with one of the operation positions of said second manual operation switch.   
     
     
       9. A user interface method for an electronic device, comprising the steps of: displaying an upper-level menu comprising a list of a plurality of upper-level function memu items on a predetermined display screen so as to be designated by a line of sight of an operator;   specifying one of the plurality of displayed upper-level function items, which matches the line of sight; and   displaying a lower-level eye-controlled menu comprising a list of a plurality of lower-level function menu items associated with the specified upper-level function menu item on the display screen so as to be designated by the line of sight.   
     
     
       10. The method according to claim 9, wherein contents of each of the upper-level function menu items include a general idea of the lower function menu items. 
     
     
       11. The method according to claim 9, wherein when one of the lower-level function menu items is selected by the line of sight, a function assigned to the selected lower-level function menu item is executed. 
     
     
       12. The method according to claim 9, wherein an upper-level function menu item and lower-level function menu items corresponding to the upper-level function menu item are displayed on an identical page screen. 
     
     
       13. The method according to claim 9, wherein an upper-level function menu item and lower-level function menu items corresponding to the upper-level function menu item are displayed on different page screens. 
     
     
       14. An electronic device which can selectively switch a plurality of upper-level functions of a hierarchical menu, comprising: display means for identifiably displaying symbols of the plurality of upper-level functions;   eye controlled selection means for causing an operator to select, according to a gazing position of the operator, a one target upper-level function from the displayed upper-level functions;   means for executing the selected one function;   a sole switch for performing a manual operation for changing the selection of one of the plurality of upper-level functions, wherein the selection is dependent on length of an operation time of the sole switch;   wherein said display means is also for displaying a lower level eye-controlled menu comprising a list of a purality of lower-Ievel function menu items associated with the selected one target upper-level function.   
     
     
       15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said display means displays the names of the upper-level functions on different page screens, and the page screen changes when the selection of the upper-level function is changed by the switch.   
     
     
       16. The device according to claim 14, wherein when the sole switch is operated while said electronic device is performing a predetermined operation, said electronic device is set in a mode for enabling said display means. 
     
     
       17. The device according to claim 14, further comprising: means for, when one of the upper-level function menu items displayed by said display means is selected, detecting if a display position of the selected one upper-level function menu item coincides with a gazing position of the operator; and   means for displaying lower-level function menu items corresponding to the selected one upper-level function menu item upon detection of the coincidence.   
     
     
       18. The device according to claim 14, wherein display areas of the names of the plurality of upper-level function menu items are assigned to different page screens, and each of the page screens has a link display area for displaying a link to a next page.   
     
     
       19. The device according to claim 18, wherein one of the display areas of the names of the plurality of upper-level function menu items or the link display area is designated by the line of sight of the operator. 
     
     
       20. The device according to claim 19, wherein a window time required when one of the display areas of the names of the plurality of upper-level function menu items is designated by the line of sight is longer than a window time required when the link display area is designated by the line of sight. 
     
     
       21. The device according to claim 14, wherein display areas of the names of the plurality of upper-level function menu items are assigned to different page screens, and each of the page screens has a forward link display area for displaying a link to a next page and a backward link display area for displaying a link to a previous page.   
     
     
       22. The device according to claim 21, wherein one of the display areas of the names of the plurality of upper-level function menu items or the link display area is designated by the line of sight of the operator. 
     
     
       23. The device according to claim 22, wherein display areas of the names of the plurality of upper-level function menu items are assigned to different page screens, and a page screen having link display areas for linking to the respective pages is arranged.